Because Justin Bieber has run out of conceivable ways to get publicity, he is now seeking repentance at the Church of the Internet.
The pop singer released a video Wednesday night, via Facebook, apologizing for his behavior of late, saying, "I'm not who I was pretending to be."
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
Post by Justin Bieber.
"We pretend to be something we’re not as a coverup of what we’re truly feeling inside," Bieber says. "And there was a lot of feelings going on in there. Just being young and growing up in this business is hard. Just growing up in general is hard."
Bieber filmed the apology after appearing on The Ellen Show -- a surprise for the host's birthday, which airs Thursday -- and he admitted to being nervous. Bieber's first major television appearance at the age of 15 was also on Ellen's show.
Good seeing u today @TheEllenShow. Happy birthday! Sorry I was so nervous — Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) January 29, 2015
The 20-year-old explained to Ellen that he was afraid of how people would perceive him after several years of negative press, including a DUI arrest, public fights with other celebrities, abandoning a monkey in Germany and urinating in a mop bucket.
I can’t believe the surprise I got for my birthday show. Then I saw his face. Now I’m a Belieber. pic.twitter.com/bQOV3YOCyE— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 29, 2015
In related news, Bieber is slated to be the guest of honor for Comedy Central's next roast, so this video could either be a last-ditch effort for comedians to go easy on him or just fodder for more material.